SUMMERSIDE – Sitting around the family’s breakfast bar Kim Barton looks at her daughters and husband.
“I really want to do this,” she said.
The other three family members look at each other.
Hannah, the younger daughter pipes up, “OK, I guess we’re doing this.”
About two months later Hannah, Kim and their family are nearly ready to open the doors of The Hive Nurturing the Creative Self, an artisan shop on the Summerside waterfront.
“When my husband and I retired from working in corrections, we decided we would start upcycling old items of furniture and other items people don’t want any more, we would make desirable again,” explained Kim.
Three years ago, Kim and her husband moved to the Island from Niagara, Ont.
About a year later, their daughters followed.
Now it’s a family affair running The Hive.
“The Hive is all about nurturing your creativity. It’s really important to me. I want this place to be a safe space for people who may not have had the chance to do it because of a career, or family or circumstance.”
The new business, opening at Spinnakers’ Landing this weekend, will feature items from Kim’s upcycling business along with products from a dozen or so other artisans from the area.
“I have a booth at the Summerside Farmer’s Market so when we decided to open a spot at the Landing, I really wanted to have a space for creative people to support one another,” said Kim.
Kim and Hannah plan for members of the creative collective to come together once a month at a meeting to discuss the business, how they feel, and network with each other.
“That’s the real commitment. We’re also hoping we can get some of the artisans in to demonstrate how they make their work or be there to interact with customers.”
Hannah added, “And it’s not exclusive to artisans of the Summerside market. Anyone who is interested in committing to a meeting a month and nurturing each other is welcome.”
Hannah has a past in working in retail, starting at 15 years old.
“That’s six-plus years of working in retail. And I’ve got a handle on the social media. We’re like ‘Pinky and The Brain.’ Mom’s the creative brain. And I’m like the general manager,” Hannah said with a chuckle.
The pair are excited to see the artisans find a safe supportive space in The Hive.
For further information:
–Two locations: Spinnakers Landing and Summerside Farmers’ Market
–www.thehivenurturingthecreativeself.ca
–Facebook: @thehivenurturingthecreativeself
–Instagram: @hive_nurturingthecreativeself
“I think there is a big fear of rejection when it comes to craft and art, but we’ve made this space where no matter what someone creates it’s beautiful to someone,” Hannah said.
Kim added, “It takes a village for sure. But the there is such a large artisan community on the Island and everyone is so tight-knit.”
Items available at The Hive:
–Restored/upcycled furniture
–Knitted socks and other knitted items
–Textile art
–Goat soap
–Dog/cat beds
–Home décor signs
–Quilts
–Candles
–Essential oil heatable bags
–Original T-shirts
–Leather purses, wallets and bracelets
–Wooden spoons
–Handmade jewelry
–Microfarm kits
–Ureshii clothes
–Kids and baby clothes
